Medieval 01 - Untamed

Dominic asked unhappily. “The battlements or the garrison?”
    â€œIt’s storming.”
    â€œThe garrison, then,” Dominic said. “Eadith has a taste for dalliance, but not in a cold rain.”
    â€œWhat wench does?” Simon retorted.
    Dominic grunted.
    In a silence that seethed with Dominic’s frustration, the two men headed for the knights’ quarters. Since Duncan and the Reevers had departed, Eadith had spent much time checking the battlements—and flirting with the knights on sentry duty.
    If the weather was too blustery to enjoy being out in the open, she spent time around the wellhead, supposedly checking that the servants were careful in the water they drew. Actually, she was simply hanging about the garrison, which was located on the same level as the well.
    The second floor was alive with the sounds of knights and squires from the garrison area, and servants chanting rhythmically as they hauled up water for the keep’s use in a large wooden bucket. Among the masculine sounds, it was easy to pick out the teasing feminine laughter.
    When Dominic and Simon emerged from the tower staircase into the garrison, the first thing they saw was Eadith standing close to Thomas the Strong. Just behind him was Marie. Both women appeared to be interested in capturing the knight’s roving eyes—and hands.
    â€œPerhaps you should have saved Marie’s cost, and that of her like,” Simon said.
    Dominic said only, “Marie will be earning her keep as a seamstress, beginning this moment.”
    â€œAnd Eadith?”
    â€œSome women are born to be whores.”
    Thomas heard the sound of Dominic’s approach before either woman did. He turned, saw his lord’s face, and knew he was in trouble.
    â€œSir Thomas,” Dominic said without preamble, “the armory is a heap of rust. When you aren’t drilling the men on leaping into the saddle and using the broadsword one-handed, you will oversee the armory’s thorough cleaning.”
    â€œAye, lord,” Thomas said, reluctantly removing a ham-sized hand from Eadith’s hip. “When shall I begin?”
    â€œNow. Draw up a list of what you will need and present it to me tomorrow morning.”
    â€œAye, lord.”
    Thomas fastened his mantle, which had come undone beneath Marie’s clever fingers, winked at both women, and withdrew.
    â€œMarie,” Dominic said.
    The dark-haired woman watched him with eyes as black as Simon’s. She couldn’t conceal her hope from Dominic as she walked gracefully to him.
    â€œAye, lord? Do you finally wish something from your faithful Marie?”
    â€œYou are quite skillful with clothing. You will attend to the lacks in my lady’s wardrobe. You may draw freely upon the silks I brought from Jerusalem. There is the cloth from Normandy and London as well. If you lack for anything, see me immediately.”
    Marie’s full mouth thinned, but all she said was, “Yes, lord.”
    â€œYou will have little work,” Eadith said to Marie as the Norman woman turned to leave. “Lady Margaret cares for nothing but her gardens and herbal.”
    â€œMarie,” Dominic said.
    He hadn’t raised his voice, but Marie froze in the act of turning away from him.
    â€œUse your clever little hands for sewing, and I will reward you with silk of your own,” Dominic said.
    Marie smiled with delight and said, “There is no silk finer than my lord’s mouth upon my body.”
    He laughed. “Be gone, wench.”
    The look Marie gave Dominic was full of memories. She leaned close to him and spoke softly, but not so softly that the others couldn’t hear.
    â€œWhen you tire of your gardener-bride, come to me. My body will smell of passion rather than dirt. And if you like not my scent, you can bathe me in yours.”
    â€œGo,” Dominic said, but his voice wasn’t harsh.
    Smiling slightly, he watched Marie walk from the garrison. The fine wool of her tunic was closely drawn about her body, revealing the ripe feminine shape beneath. With each step her hips swung in a silent, unmistakable invitation.
    â€œAs for you,” Dominic said, turning to Eadith. “Where is your lady?”
    â€œI don’t know, lord,” Eadith said carelessly. “Have you lost her again so quickly?”
    Simon winced at the girl’s foolishness. Just because Dominic was willing to treat his people well